either of these two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either of these two" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to two specific things you have mentioned previously in the text. For example, "I need to choose between these two books: The Great Gatsby or War and Peace. Either of these two books would be an excellent choice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's hard to see how increasing use of screens undermines either of these two original concerns.

Huffington Post

In different seasons either of these two effects may be prefer- able.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Our approach does not depend on either of these two assumptions.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Tell the representative either of these two things.

WikiHow

Not, it seems, for either of these two.

The Guardian - Travel

Can either of these two get things back on track?

The Guardian - Sport

Can either of these two versions curb drug trafficking?

The Washington Post

No whiteflies were observed on either of these two farms.

Nature

No black subject had either of these two mutations.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Sword base: You can find it either of these three places.

WikiHow

We prove that, in most of the regions, either one of these two cycles is optimal.

Computers & Operations Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "either of these two" to clearly indicate a choice between exactly two previously mentioned options. This avoids ambiguity and makes your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "either of these two" when referring to more than two items. "Either" is specifically for choices between two things; for more than two, use "any of these" or "any one of these".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either of these two" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a choice between two previously mentioned items. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to indicate that one option from a specific pair is being considered. Examples show it determining which option applies in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

49%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "either of these two" is a grammatically correct and very common way to indicate a choice between two specific options. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a determiner phrase and is used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While it's important to use "either of these two" when referring to only two options, other alternatives like "any of these" are more appropriate for larger sets. The phrase carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

either one of these two

Similar in meaning, emphasizing the selection of one option from the two.

either of the two

A more concise version, suitable when the 'these' is implied from context.

one or other of these two

Emphasizes the choice between the two options.

any one of these two

Highlights the possibility of selecting any single option from the pair.

one or the other of these two

Slightly more emphatic version of "one or other".

any of these two

More direct and less formal way of expressing the choice.

whichever of these two

Highlights the indifference of the speaker toward the choice.

either both of these

Less common and potentially confusing variant; better avoided for clarity.

either of these

More general, implying a selection from multiple options which have not been previously identified.

any these two

An uncommon phrasing, lacking grammatical correctness in standard English.

FAQs

How do I use "either of these two" in a sentence?

Use "either of these two" to present a choice between two specific items or options that have already been mentioned. For example, "We can go to the beach or the park. I'm happy with "either of these two"".

What's a more concise alternative to "either of these two"?

A more concise alternative is "either of the two", which is appropriate when the context makes it clear which two items you are referring to.

Is it correct to say "either of these three"?

No, it is incorrect. "Either" is used when referring to a choice between two options. When there are three or more options, use "any of these" or "any one of these" instead.

What is the difference between "either of these two" and "both of these"?

"Either of these two" indicates a choice between two options, selecting only one. "Both of these" refers to both options together, not a choice between them.